Expect workmanlike showing from Arsenal

Shuffled Palace look vulnerable

Doncaster were beaten by a strong Arsenal team in the last round

Dan Mullan

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By Steve Davies
8:10PM, OCT 23 2017

Arsenal v NorwichLeague Cup, 7.45pm TuesdayDoncaster could teach Everton a thing or two about avoiding humiliation against Arsenal and now it’s Norwich’s turn to show that another Sky Bet Football League side can give the Gunners a game.

League One Donny went down 1-0 at the Emirates in the last 32 of the League Cup and put in a seriously disciplined performance against a strong Arsenal side.

A low-scoring game is nothing new for Arsenal in this competition. Nine of their last ten ties have produced three goals or fewer and that may well be the case against Norwich too. Back a home win and under 3.5 goals.

Goals are certainly scarce in games involving Norwich, who are still buoyant after winning 1-0 at Ipswich on Sunday. Ten of their 13 Championship matches have yielded three goals or fewer and their last eight league games have produced just nine goals.

Bristol City v Crystal PalaceLeague Cup, 7.45pm TuesdayIt's hard to shake off the feeling that Premier League strugglers Crystal Palace are there for the taking at Ashton Gate.

Beleaguered Palace chief Roy Hodgson has stated, predictably enough, that the League Cup is important to him. But he has also mentioned a handful of players not in the first team – Wayne Hennessey, James Tomkins and Martin Kelly – who will get a run-out while Wilfried Zaha, just back from injury, is tipped to sit this one out.

It's easy to understand why Hodgson, whatever he says publicly, would make changes. The Eagles are five points from safety, have won only one league game and face West Ham in a crunch London derby on Saturday.

The Robins are no mugs having lost only twice in the Championship this season.

Oldham v BuryLeague One, 7.45pm TuesdayYou have to be impressed with the impact Richie Wellens has made since taking the reins at Boundary Park last month.

Wellens took charge of the Latics with the team having lost seven of their first nine Sky Bet League One matches. But under Wellens they are unbeaten in six in all competitions with wins over Peterborough, Portsmouth and Blackburn the high spots in an incredible turnaround.

On current form they look a top bet to see off local rivals Bury, who haven’t won away in the league since February.

Oldham have scored 23 goals – more than Charlton or Blackburn – with Craig Davies and Eoin Doyle in outstanding scoring nick.

Conceding four at MK Dons on Saturday hints at where problems remain, though before that match they had shipped just two in total against Pompey, Blackburn and Bradford.